The European University of Well-Being (EUniWell) and Columbia Teachers College held a joint four-day transatlantic conference, subtitled “A Globalised Perspective on Science Diplomacy.”
The event aimed to examine the relationship between teacher education and well-being at the international level and to facilitate the incorporation of research findings into policy-making processes.
The conference sessions took a closer look at how to tackle challenges such as social equity, climate change, mental health, and cultural inclusion. Semmelweis University was represented by an eight-member delegation, who actively contributed to the success of the conference.
The first two days of the event were scheduled to take place at the United Nations Plaza in New York City. However, the program was significantly impacted by an unexpected event: The city experienced its heaviest snowstorm in nearly a decade. As a result, transportation was disrupted, several public institutions and schools were closed, and the organizers decided to cancel the first day of the conference for safety reasons.
On the second day, the program resumed at the United Nations Plaza with an extended schedule. Participants engaged in collaborative thematic caucuses based on a Research-to-Policy model (integrating research findings into policy-making processes). Discussions were structured around the thematic work packages of the EUniWell alliance – health, social equality, multiculturalism and multilingualism, environmental sustainability, and teacher education and well-being –, allowing participants to jointly explore key challenges and potential solutions. Based on this work, the draft resolutions were presented as a closing act of the day, and the ones that passed can be submitted to the United Nations leadership for consideration.
The final two days of the conference took place at the Teachers College campus of Columbia University, where participants presented related research results and practical initiatives in parallel sessions and workshops.
Representatives of Semmelweis University contributed to the program in the following subject areas:
- Dr. Beáta Pethesné Dávid, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Public Administration (EKK), held an online presentation titled Social Health to Prevent Social Isolation and Loneliness – Young People in Focus;
- Dr. Ibolya Túri, Vice-Dean for Science at the András Pető Faculty (PAK), and Dr. Márk Pulay, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Conductive Pedagogy, led a workshop titled One Term, Many Different Meanings: (Future) Teachers’ Well-Being in Europe and the USA;
- Dr. Zsuzsanna Papp, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Mental Health (MHI), delivered a presentation titled Fostering University Students’ Well-being through Mattering – Insights from the UniMatter Project;
- Dr. Ádám Orosz and Dr. Tamás Bozó, Assistant Professors at the Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, presented their joint talk Rethinking the Master–Apprentice Relationship in Doctoral Education: Toward Partnership, Well-Being, and Systemic Change;
- Fanni Matyasovszki, International Expert at the Directorate of International Relations and Alumni Affairs (NKAI), held a workshop together with representatives of two EUniWell partner universities, Dr. Olga Rostkowska (Medical University of Warsaw) and Sarah Bermann (University of Cologne), titled Fruit, Water, Gratitude – Small Shifts, Big Gains in Classroom Well-Being. The session focused on introducing resourceful and applicative well-being practices designed to enhance attention, energy levels, and overall well-being in educational environments.
The delegation was led by Dr. Tamás Hegedüs, Director of International Relations and Alumni Affairs, and Levente Vágó, Deputy Director.
The conference also provided participants with an excellent opportunity to build international professional connections and share good practices related to the well-being of students and educators. The transatlantic dialogue highlighted that similar challenges emerge across different educational systems regarding well-being support, further reinforcing the importance of international collaboration in this field.
EUniWell: an alliance of 12 universities
The European University for Well-Being (EUniWell) joins 12 universities across Europe with a mission to improve individual, social, and environmental well-being through research, education, innovation, and social responsibility. Semmelweis University is one of the founding members of the alliance, through which its students, researchers, and staff can take part in EUniWell’s educational offers, diverse mobility programs, and high-quality research opportunities.
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Semmelweis University’s involvement in the EUniWell program is supported by the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund (NKFIH).
The EUniWell project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
Disclaimer: Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Image and text: Directorate of International Relations and Alumni Affairs
